Jardin Botanique

I'm always inspired by French conception, it seems. Those inspiring feelings possibly tige from my rich French heritage. Peut-être.
The Jardin Botanique savon est né from those thoughts.
Herbes riches and botanical icing parfumé with lemon grass, patchouli and rosemary. Charmant!

It's been un moment since I last posté. The hand made boutique has filled my days with inventaire and pricing, bavardage with nice humans and living in the fast retail lane.

Printemps seems an ideal time to freshen and renew.

Comment diable avez-vous été? Grand I hope!


Ayez un beau jour

Jill 

nouvelle boutique

Our nouvelle boutique is open! I'm whipping up beau savon in a variety of jardin meadow saveurs.
Fabriqué à la main items line the tablettes.

It may be awhile before I post. The actif shop owner schedule is keeping me busy.
You may keep up at our big sister blog, bittersweet. 

Ayez un beau jour

Jill 

Nouveau!

Fussy French has some wonderful nouveau nouvelles to share...
We're joining forces and opening a new savon shop. The new vente au détail stocker will be shared with a fantastique millésime boutique called, Aggieal's Attic Vintage Boutique!
We're more than excité to launch this new adventure and can't wait to open.
The boutique will offer unique minable goods and vintage trésors along with humidité rich savon and naturel home keeping essentiel under the name  Aigre-doux, Bittersweet.
Antique linens and  faded articles pour la maison and lavender will fill the new boutique apothecary.

 Ayez un beau jour

Jill 

journée de rêve

photo courtesy of pinterest

I hope you enjoyed a joyeux Noël. 

Isn't the picture stunning? A magical place indeed...

This temps of the year when the paysage is filled with teintes of gray and brown I yearn for them to be remplacé with the bright color of nature. Pink tulips and mushrooming trees surrounded by a champ de fleurs creates excitation beyond words. 

I'm  planification this seasons fleurs and herbs and méditant shades of pink and forget me not bleu. Two of my favorite fleur nuances. 

photo courtesy of pinterest

I'm holding on to those thoughts as I create. 

Thoughts of âgé wicker and sturdy twine as well as vieux wood and topiary's dance around. 

Are you  rêver about spring?

Winter will soon be left behind and spring will fill our days. 

Ayez un beau jour

Jill 

vacances de Noël

Fussy français will be breaking during the holiday season. This is her big sisters busiest temps. She's wrapping, and baking and making and hosting a Joyeux Noël.
I wish you the very best during the de fête fêtes.
Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas chers.

Ayez un beau jour

Jill 

Difficile

From the hémorroïdes of pillows to the beautifully rembourrés stool and then the rêveur fluffy bed I love this room and the French detail!

This image spectacles a less fussy look with simple lines and little embellissements. One thing remains the same, beau bedding and assez oreillers.

It's the tiny details that make a difference when you're décoration a room. 

Notice the ferme frais eoufs in the vintage egg basket. The simple but yet embelli furniture pieces. That beau lumière, stunning and the séché hydrangea setting. 

Détail to perfection.

Photo's courtesy of Pinterest.

Ayez un beau jour

Jill 

automne lavande

Tomber isn't Tomber without bundles of  treasured lavande. I love using the fat faisceaux in my fall décoration. It brings a warm expressif touch to every chambre. Not to mention its lovely perfume that gently infuses my espace.

I'm having thoughts of warm pumpkin pain pulled from a hot oven and cinnamon crusted produits de boulangerie as well.

J'aime l'automne!
The simple joys of the season chéri and honored. A toast to fall!

This is a busy time for Fussy Frenchs' big sister, Bittersweet.
We're la création d' new savons in yummy toasty warm parfums like fenouil et d'orange. We're  inaugurant in the season with soft music and cool crisp dewy mornings. Little drips of dew line the potted rosemary and lavender plantes.

How do you welcome Automne? I know it's soulful and sweet.

Ayez un beau jour

Jill 

gâteau aux pommes

I love automne!
The air is croustillant and the outdoor temperature is divin.
Since I'm méditant thoughts of fall it seemed only naturel to share a wonderful fall recette with my readers.

FRENCH APPLE CAKE = FALL BLISS

French Apple Cake

Adapted from Dorie Greenspan

and shared by Apricosa

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3/4 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
6 cups apples (I recommend Fuji, golden delicious, Gala, or Pippin)
2 large eggs, at room temperature
3/4 cup sugar
3 tablespoons dark rum
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 tsp. ground cardamom
3/4 tsp. finely grated lemon zest
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled

Preheat the oven to 350 F.  Using some of the melted butter, brush the inside of an 8-inch spring form pan and place it on a baking sheet.

Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt together in small bowl and set aside.

Peel the apples, cut them in half and remove the cores. Slice the apples or cut into 1- to 2-inch chunks.  (Note: the larger your apples, the fewer you will have to peel!  And, the smaller your chunks, the less fragmented your cake will be when you cut into it to serve it.)

In a large bowl, beat the eggs with a whisk or electric mixer until they are foamy. Add the sugar, rum, vanilla, cardamom, and lemon zest and whisk to blend.  Add in half the flour and when it is incorporated, add half the melted butter, followed by the rest of the flour and the remaining butter, mixing gently after each addition so that you have a smooth batter. Switch to a rubber spatula and fold in the apples, turning the fruit so that it's coated with batter. Scrape the mix into the pan and smooth out the top with the spatula.

Place the cake on a baking sheet and position it on the center rack of the preheated oven.  Bake for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until the top of the cake is golden brown and a knife inserted deep into the center comes out clean. Transfer to a cooling rack and let rest for 5 minutes.

Carefully run a thin knife around the edges of the cake to loosen and then open and remove the sides of the springform pan.  Allow the cake to cool until it is just slightly warm or at room temperature. If you want to remove the cake from the bottom of the springform pan, wait until the cake is almost cooled, then run a long spatula between the cake and the pan, cover the top of the cake with a piece of parchment or wax paper, and invert it onto a rack. Carefully remove the bottom of the pan and turn the cake over onto a serving dish.

Delicious when served warm or at room temperature, with a vanilla sauce, ice cream, or creme chantilly.

Ayez un beau jour

Jill

rendu

This is a image of the inside of my great grandmother and grandfathers home 100 years ago!
Pondering thoughts about that énorme leather chaise. I have no doubt it was my great grandfathers chair!
This picture on its own is a treasure, but did you know that I also have several pieces of antique furniture from this chambre? The furniture was a gift from my mother, passed down from my father's mother, and her mother before.
Héritage passed down from generation to generation, doux indeed!
Notice how high the pictures hang in this image? Isn't that intéressant?
The placement of the meubles is also interesting.

Do you avoir soulful pieces that were remis down to you?

I believe these remis pieces are charmant et enchanteur.

Ayez un beau jour

Jill

des étiquettes personnalisées

I've been making des étiquettes personnalisées and sewing each into the nouveau  pantalons de couchage.
The custom labels are designed and then printed on heat transfer. Don't forget to make your image in mirror form on your printer.
I chose a shabby cabbage rose textile and then cut the tissu to fit the label.

In the next few weeks and months to come Bittersweet, Fussy Frenches' big sister will be whipping up nouvea fait à la main items.
We're already working on fall, winter designs, colors and motifs. Such fun, always!

Nouveau dessins are slowly appearing on the étagères and tables.

What kind of choses do you design?

Ayez un beau jour

Jill

French linge de maison

Isn't this de plein air image beautiful?

I'm in love with the clay wall in the fond! Such a pretty contrast with the crisp white assortment of linens. 

I'm so very anxieux to be able to take outdoor photos without melting!

Maudit, it's hot!

Until then I'll berêver about some of these pictures I found on Pinterest. 

It's nice to dream...So very  merveilleux, to dream.

I amour old linens!

Recently I made some pillow slips from cotton linen. I've washed them several times and hung them outside to dry on the clothesline. I am amazed how soft they get. I'm a cotton girl all the way!

I prefer fabrics that breathe.

I need not ask what your favorite textile is. I'm sure you have the same passion as I when it comes to choosing. 

Ayez un beau jour

Jill

millésime incorporation

I am always inspired by vintage ephemera. The inspiration that flows from vintage is incorporated into my design style.



Having just said that I also jouir mixing both millésime with a touch of modern or contemporary.

picture courtesty of Pinterest

The modern pièce that I choose to accompagner  the vintage must be carefully thought out and planned with the upmost fastidious in choosing. The best description of this is the picture above. The brillant argent lampe anchors the look to perfection, I believe. Although the lamp is modern, it blends in. Love it!

Minimal color is also used to design the room. This picture captures color in a less obvious way.
If you look at the image with the lamp and then look at the hydrangea picture you will see no more than four colors were used to create the regarder. Not necessary monochromatic, but rather less colored objects are used to create a certain look. Again, love the look! Always have...
 As you take a closer look at the first picture you'll notice more white is iutilisés over all. If you look at the second image you will also notice dominant white. In fact, white certainly does stand out, doesn't it? That's the principle hue used for both image backdrops. A splash of soft blush or pink, not much in chambre à coucher, one black object, the table top and the chrome colored lamp. Magnifique!

The single stem of the hydrangea offers a  splash of sea foam green, ecru colored twine and black ciseaux seem to fit inparfaitement .

Ayez un beau jour

Jill

Hortensia bleu

I don't recall ever setting my brown yeux on a more beautiful bleu!

The hortensia bushes have abundant blooms this season. It's everything I can do to not pick the flowers for arrangements. I'm wanting to dry them instead. 

They line the north side of our home with their stunning beauté.

They are such a sight to see that I've even had folks drive by our home, turn around and stop and ask me what kind of fleur they are. 

I do nothing to the soil. We've had an extremely dry spring so I have watered them, but other than that nothing. There are pink blossoms too! 

They will be ready to sec in around three weeks. If you're picking hydrangea for drying wait until they've bloomed. After they bloom they become top heavy and their blooms begin to turn green. That's when you pick them for drying. No special process for drying at the point. I do remove the leaves, but other than that. I then place the stems in a vase or whatever conteneur I wish to use and that's it!

I have dried blooms from several years ago! They last a long time if dried. Kind of like Bittersweet. 

I'm experimenting this summer with a variety of everlasting flowers that will be dried. I'm so excité about the idee of dried flowers. I've always been fond of them. Mustn't forget lavender...

Oh and if you cut the flower fresh to enjoy as an arrangement. Always smash the stem with a case knife or scissor handle. If you don't do this your bloom won't last through the day. However if you do, they will last up to two - three weeks!

Ayez un beau jour

 

Jill

faites à la main

Photo courtesy of Pinterest

It's soulful and unique, sweetly faites à la main. I prefer handmade over any mass produced anything. 

I am passionate about rustic linens and embroidery trims and inspired by antiquités.

I se pâmer over vieux wicker baskets and fleurs.  

Cotton curtains hung in place of wood cabinets. Straw hats and shades of bleu.

Managing and operating my own handmade company for fifteen years has taught me nombreux things.

 The most important of all, to yourself be true.

Choisir and surround yourself with things you love. Don't worry if they appeal to other's. Trust your instinct and follow your heart when you créer. Sometimes it's a road less traveled, but it's your road!

 

Ayez un beau jour

Jill

cher à mon coeur

They say "with age comes wisdom!" I would not disagree. 

As each year falls upon me ever so softly I realize more and more it's the little things in life that make me heureux. My mind travels less towards materialistic things and ponders closer to thoughts of fresh picked fleurs or an unexpected smile from a stranger or a hug from a client.

Sometimes the pure simple la vie pleasures go unnoticed or are overlooked. 

This  été I'm focusing on the little things over the big bulky way down ones.

An escape from the high speed highway and the fast paced world. 

If only in my own esprit.

No need to hurry. Slow down. 

Take it nice and easy and follow my coeur. 

Take in all that summer has to offer.

Her warm breeze and beautiful bounty.

She's a loving season and enjoys sharing her many gifts. 

I shall cherish her and nourish my soul. 

The baby wrens are almost ready to fly! 

Next spring about this same time,  the wrens will return to their summer home. The babies will now be adults and have baby oiseaux of their own.  

The tiny seeds have sprouted!

Each time I water the seedlings my anticipation grows as I can't wait for them to mature and blossom.

Sandals and bare orteils appear on tiny chubby feet.  

Fire fly dance in the night. They have no need for a spot light to take center stage. 

A drive through the countryside admiring the beaucoup fleurs in summer bloom. 

A cozy blanket stretched out in the yard at the stroke of midnight. Gaze up towards the stars and dream. 

  

Ayez un beau jour

Jill

Étiquettes de Français

I capturé this image @ Pinterest, I believe some time ago.

I thought the tissu labels were extraordinary and that they would be fun and easy to make.

The same concept may be used to make oreillers.

They are made using heat transfer papier. Dont' forget to reverse your design before printing!

As a soap maker I've always had a passion for étiquettes de cru of all sorts.

I often incorporate their conception into my work. This label is an example of that idee.

French labels are usually a work of art and I love incorporating their unique design into more modern conceptions.

Do you like vintage French labels? I'm sure vous faites.

Ayez un beau jour

Jill

 

  

plus de pensées de fleur

It's my favorite season interlude. The lilacs have shared their clustery démodé blooms. Now the peonies are bursting out! My rose bush has beaucoup new buds popping up each dewy morn.

I could not resist sharing this image of two of my favorite things.

I'm hosting our annual May Day event this weekend and the flowers are on que. I can't wait to pick my first bouquet of roses and peonies to place on the confection table. 

My summers are surrounded and immersed in fleurs. I amour and cherish their simple beauty.

This season I'm going to start a fleur journal. I'm going to construct a fleur scrap book of sorts. 

In the book, pictures and notes about each variety of rose, fleur or herb. Little hints on planting and nurturing Gods beau creations. How to dry hydrangea's, tours and helpful hints on how to make your blooms linger. 

I'm going to sketch and press the restes for safe keeping.
I'll share the images and progress during the construction of the fleur livre de chute.
Here are a few of the images I'm already working with.

Woody violet one of my favoris.

Ayez un beau jour

Jill

 

Ressort extérieur

What fun! Creating a Ressort extérieur setting. I've been taking product shots for Bittersweet. When I finish it's quite dur to get up from the culbuteur. I'm sandwiched in between lavender and lilacs! No reason to leave that spot! Butterflies floating around and an occasional honey bee buzzing.
It's la vie douce!

I wish you were here!

Like a rêver!

I souhait that this would last forever!

Ayez un beau jour

Jill

jour de cueillette de pomme

My friend Tina created and captured this lovely vignette. The image shouts été!
I can see myself sitting in the chaise en osier jeans cuffed wearing a blue gingham blouse along with my favorite comfy chaussures de tennis kicked up as a warm summer breeze blows by.

If you look closely at the photo you'll see some of my olive oil soap mixed in.

Tina was so sweet to share this photo. I hope it inspires you and gets you excited about summer! I know it did just that to je.

Tina also has a beau on-line boutique. Her artisan creations are unique and lovely as is her web site. Click here to visit. I am in amour with her charming bandeauxs.

Isn't her magasin exquisite?

Ayez un beau jour

Jill

Fleurs françaises

One of my favorite fleurs, the pétale mou everlasting hydrangea. A true flower gift from God, I believe.

I'm planning a marché aux puces jaunt. A nearby village is having their yearly extravaganza. One this girl never misses! I'm looking for certain pieces. Old jardin utilitarian items and a special peu mettent hors jeu kind of like the one in this Pinterest image.

One that's fin anyway.

Jardin rêver and planning some new outdoor retreats. Little extérieur spots throughout the landscape.

What kind of spring outdoor idees are you having? Outdoor marchés aux puces, jardin parties, warm summer evening dîners, bouquets of fresh hydrangeas and jardin fleurs.

Ayez un beau jour

Jill